Nut-locking device



Sept. 29, 1925.

J. A. CARLSCN N111 LOCKING 1111 1105 Filed 051.. 9, 1922 Patented Sept. 29, 1925..

1,555dtl- JOHN A. CAR'LSON, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

NUT-LOCKING DEVICE.

Application filed October 9, 1922. Serial No. 593,425.

1 '0 all 107mm it may concern.-

3e it known that I, JOHN A. CARLSON, a resident of the borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings, city and State of New York, have'iuvented certain new and useful Improvements in Nut-Locking Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention resides in a contri'vance for looking a nut to a bolt, or the latter in a taphole, and it pertains especially to a device of that class which enables either one oi the threaded members mentioned, to be locked in any position along or around the circumference of the part wherewith it ooacts.

The main object of the invention is to provide a nut or a bolt with an improved locking element adapted to effect a biting engagement with several threads simultaneously so as to distribute the impinging strains thereover.

Another object is to produce a device 01. the character described so constructed asto be applied by the tightening action upon the member with which it is combined.

A iurther object is the production of a device of the nature set forth contained in its entirety within the member to which it is applied so as to be protected thereby.

Still another object is the provision of a device ot the type specified so arranged within its member as to permit of ready release trom the other member when it is desired to loosen the parts.

A still further object is to furnish a device oi the kind referred to capable of being embodied with existing types oi nuts and bolts without appreciably weakening the same; also devoid of projecting parts liable to in teriere with the application of wrenches thereto; and amenable besides to low cost of ma-iiufacture.

Other objects and advantages oi. the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

Withthe aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists of the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the snbjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

Briefly described, the invention under consideration includes in its organization a rotatable member such as a nut or bolt provided in its side with a recess having the contour of a pawl or a ratchet tooth within which movably lodged one leg of a sharp edged locking element. The other leg of the same is fixedly anchored relatively to the member wliile a connection intermediate the legs, in the case or a nut, projects normally below the latter to a certain extent, When the nut member-is tightened or screwed up against a primary support, at the same time as this connection is forced into a groove formed in the underside of the member, the connection spoken of, throws the leg contained inth'e said recess towards the constricted part thereof, so that the sharp edge ofthe locking element is made to ezirt a wedging' action upon the tops of the threads of the bolt nie'nib'eiy'of suflicient intensity to hold the nut securely thereto; Back rotation or ui'iscrewing oi the nut serves the more firmly to press the sharp edged leg of the element in its impingement against the threads of the coacti'ng member. At such times-as it is desired todisenga'ge or loosen them'eniber, a tapered instrument, like a pointed nail, is driven into the narrowest portion 01 the recess beyond the leg therein, while a tightening strain is applied to the nut. This serves to loosen the above mentioned leg from engagement with the threads of the bolt member, from which it may then be remove The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in the one and same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole. I

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, upon becoming conversant with the details thereof, that the same" may be incorporated in several di'tl'erent constructions. The accompanying drawing therefore, is submitted merely as' showing the preferred exemplifications of the invention;

In the drawing hereto annexed z- Figure I is a transverse sectional view of a nut illustrating the application of one embodiment of the invention thereto;

Fig. II is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a nut pertaining to the same embodiment of the invention, showing certain details thereof;

Fig. III is a fragmentary transverse sectional plan view of a nut and bolt, also representing the invention applied to'thesaine;

Fig. 1V is a detached side view of a locking element connected with the nuts shown in Figs. 1 and 111;

Fig. V is a top plan view of the same form of locking element;

Fig. V1 is a detached side view of a locking element of modified form;

Fig. V11 is a top plan view of the latter named element;

Fig. V111 is a side view of a thru bolt showing the application thereto of the locking element disclosed by Figs. V1 and fv ll;

Fig. 1X is a side view or a tap bolt exhibiting another form of the invention applied thereto;

Fig. X is a section taken on the line XX of Fi 1X looking in the direction of the thereto appertaining arrows; and r Fig. 2&1 is a detached side view of the modification of the locking element employed in conjunction with Figs. 11s. and X.

Referring now to these views for a detailed description of the invention, it will be noted that the known parts to which the same is applied have been designated by reference letters, while the new elements thereof are indicated by numerals. Some exponents in the nature of small or lower case letters sufiixed to the numerals denote various embodiments of parts corresponding to one another that constitute the several modified forms of the improved device represented in the drawing. 1

Pursuant to the method of notation referred to, the letter A in Figs. 1, 11 and Ill, designates a nut, which may be of hexagonal or any other type, and has an internally threaded bore B, as shown. At one side of the bore is provided a recess 1, axially parallel therewith and shaped conforn'iably to the outline of a ratchet tooth, preferably. 'ihis recess occupies about one-eighth of the circumference of the bore, and is included within adjacent sides, respectively numbered 2 and 3, that extend outwardly from the threads of the nut, one being in a substantially radial line or plane, and the other, which may be slightly curved, converging towards the same. T he sides 2 and 3 form an acute angle 1 with each other along the line where they meet, as seen in Figs. 11 and III.

lit a certain distance from the point 5 where the side 33 of the recess aforesaid intersects the bore 1%, approximately as far out ward as the angle 4 is located from the latter, the uncer face C of the nut has a socket opening 7, extending to a slight depth therein, as shown in Fig. 1, intermediate the outside of the nut and the inside of its bore. Reaching from the socket 7 to the angle of the recess, or thereabonts, is a groove 10, of

curved formation, imbedded in the said face C. One side of this groove, namely, that nearest to the bore B, runs out thereinto at the intersecting point 5 above mentioned.

and the bolts threads.

Coacting with the before described recess 1, socket T, and groove 10, is a locking element 12, detailed at Figs. 1V and V, which consists of a major or impinging leg 13, a minor or anchoring leg 1&1, and a connection 15 therebetween. The several parts of this locking element, it will be noticed, are trapezoidally arranged; that is, the angle included between the major leg 13 and the connecting member 15 is acute, whereas that intermediate the niinor leg 1 1 and the connection 15 is obtuse.

The said locking element is applied to the nut A in the manner indicated in Fig. I, with the leg 13 thereof passing upwardly through the recessl, the leg 14 entered into the socket '7, and the interconnecting member 15 lodged partly in the groove 10, where the latter proceeds from the said socket. The remaining part of this member, it will be seen, projects below the face C of the nut, to a greater or less extent depending on its inclination relatively to the legs 13 and 1 1.

it will further be observed, with reference to Fig. V, that the connecting member 15 is given a lateral curve and shaped to correspond to the formation of the groove 10, which is clearly outlined in Figs. 11 and III. The edge of the major leg 12 which is turned towards the threads of the bolt or stud D, in the view last named, is made sharp or angular, as indicated at 16, while the rear or opposite side of the leg is rounded, as repre sented at 1?, Fig. V. The corners formed by the conjoined ends of the legs 13, i i and the member 15 are crimped, as denoted by 18 and 19 respectively, in order to increase the resiliency of these parts.

The invention, as thus far described operates in the following manner, to wit:-

hen the nut A is screwed down against an underlying primary support or some abutment. the outwardly projecting portion of the transverse member 15 of the locking element 12 is forced into the groove 10 provided in the underside C of the nut directly above it. ihis causes the impinging leg 1%) to rise slightly in the recess 1. and move into the constricted part thereof, that is, towards the point 5 where the side 3 intersects the sclea-threaded bore B. The sharp, angular edge 16 of the in'ipinging leg is there by brought into engagement with the tops of the threads en the bolt or stud D. The shifting of the leg 13 from its non-engaging to c n acting relation with respect to the bolt 1 strated in Fig. 111, where the dotted 1 J iii-es E indicate the idle or retracted position the leg, while the full outline of the latter 13 resents it as tightly setor wedged in between the converging wall 3 of the recess From the fdregoing it rill be understood that as the nut is being screwed onto the bolt, the leg 13 moves against the threads thereof, but if an attempt be made to rotate the nut in the opposite direction, then the edge 16 ot the leg 13 is caused forcibly to impinge upon the threads of the. bolt, at the same time as the outer forward corner 20 of this leg is driven hard against the said converging wall. Inasmuch as the latter is a continuous surface, while the threads of the bolt are spaced at certain intervals apart, the pressure thereon will be the more intense. The angles il (5 and 20 ot the leg have a biting el'igagement with the screw-threads and the converging wall, respectively. which produces a canting or twisting of the leg that acts toggle-like to hold the members firmly together against back rotation, that is, one relatively to the other.

At such times as it is required to loosen or unscrew the said threaded members, a tapered implement, such for instance as a pointed nail or the like, can be driven into the constricted space tori'ned between the bolt 1) and the point 5 of. the recess 1, 0n the forward side of the impinging leg 13 ot the locking element 12. The leg is thus pried loose and relieved. from the wedging action of the wall 3 or" the recess that converges toward the bore of the nut A surrounding the bolt. it is then an easy matter to turn the nut backwards. The effect pro duced by the sharp edge 16 ot the leg 13 impinging upon the bolt is indicated at 22, in Fig. IX, which shows how some minute indentations are made in the tops of the threads, due to pressure thereon exerted by the s iarp-edgcd portion of the locking memher during its impingement. In the case of hardened bolts, the indentations formed in the threads thereot, could be produced by a knurling process, prior to the hardening of the same. therebyproviding the series of small teeth for the edge of the locking ele men to engage with in various positions.

It will he understood that the locking element hereinabove described is preferably made of tempered spring steel wire possessing su'llicicnt hardness to produce the indentations 2:2 atoresaid, in the threads ot the member with which it coacts, as well as the requisite resiliency to stand up under the strains repeatedly applied thereon.

Figures VI and VII illustrate a modified embodiment of the said locking element, which is designated therein as an integral entity by the reterence character in this modification, the leg 14 provided :tor the ancliorage ot the element is (it an approximately annular formation and situated in a plane at right angles to the leg 3, which is designed for in'lpingement. The angular biting edge it? of the latter is turned towards the interior ot the annulus formed by the leg 14-, and in this case the member 15 connecting the two legs is upwardly curved, as shown, in order to aitord the necessary resiliencytherebetween. This type o t' locking,element. is particularly applicable to a bolt such as is represented by the character D in Fig. VH1, that is, in a case where a primary support, as F, is held between a nut A and the head G of the bolt D The support F may be countersunk, as ind'cated at 24s, to accommodate the curved leg and a recess 3 is provided tor the outwardly directed leg 13.

When the nut A is screwed down against the primary support or abutment F, it presses upon the member 15, thereby thror. ing the leg 13 over towards the contracted part of the recess 3, to which is imparted the ratchet tooth outline hereinbetore mentioned. This brings the impinging log into engagement with the threads on the bolt l)", the same occurs in the previously described construction. as to the groove or countersunk portion 24; provided tor the leg it, it could obviously be incorporated as well with the base or lJOttOll'l face. ot the nut. The implement tor prying the leg 13 away from the threads of the bolt, incidentally to loosening the nut thereon, is in this case hlse insertible from the upper side of the nut A In Figs. lX, X and XI, is disclosed a modification of the invention peculiarly suitable for locking a socalled cap or tab bolt D As shown in this construction, the shank of the bolt is provided with a main recess 3 which I'QzltllQS into the bolt head i a certain distance from the under Face 9.6 thereof. as indicated at 2'5. grub-recesses. re spectively designated by the numerals 528 and 29, branch out from the point 27.. the same extending through the head G to the exterior face thereol. 01" these auxiliarv recesses, the one on the right preterablv s threaded to receive a headless screw 31. The anchoring leg li ot the lot-hing element. denoted as a unit by 12", is re .QlVGtl in the sub-recess 9.8, while. the impinging leg ll) is lodged within the H'ltllIl recess 3 The con nection 15, interi'nediate the legs 13" and 14 in-this instance consists of curve (see Fig. XI) formed in the material of which the locking element is com sed. At the outer end of the ancl'ioring leg is produced a head-like protul1 erance 33, serves to hold the tormer in place in toe head G of the bolt D As in the two preceding cases, the recess 3" has substantially the at line of a ratohet tooth, and the im 'iingine; leg of the locking element becomes wedged therein, the same operating substantially in the manner betore (Kt)ltlll'lQl, as will be readily perceived by reference to Figs. IX and X. Whenever it is desired to loosen a threaded member of this character, the headless screw 31 is driven inward so as to bear against the connection 15, thereby forcing the biting edge 16* of the locking element away from the recessed or apertured member wherewith it coacts. Upon release of the screw 31, the connection 15 springs back again into its operative position.

lVhile certain preferred embodiments of this device have been shown and described, it will be understood that changes in the form, arrangements, proportions, sizes and details thereof may be made, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim is:

l. A locking device for screw-threaded members that are adapted to be fastened together by rotating one relatively to the other, including a leg anchored in the rotatable n'iember, a second leg loosely entered also in a recess of the latter in proximity to the threads of the relatively fixed member, and a connection between said leg-s partly received in a groove of the first-named member and partly depending therefrom, said connection operating by contact with a prin'iary support to move said second leg into a constricted part of said recess and causing it to exert a wedging action upon said threads opposing back rotation of the member engaged thereby.

2. A locking device for screw-threaded members that are adapted to be fastened to ether by rotating one relatively to the other, including a self-setting element partly entered in the rotatable member and having a portion normally depending therefrom in position to be met by an abutment, said element being thereby caused to impinge against the threads of the relatively stationary member so as to arrest back rotation of the first-named member,

3. A locking device for screw-threaded members that are adapted to be fastened together by rotating one relatively to the other, including a leg SOClUBtGCl substantially perpendicularly in the advance side of the rotatable member, another leg similarly directed into an axially disposed recess of the same member, and a connection extending obliquely intermediate said legs, said connection protruding from said side of the member so as to be encountered by a primary support, the latter acting to carry said other leg toward the relatively stationary member for impingement theii'eagainst.

l. A locking device for screw-threaded members that are adapted to be fastened together by rotating one relatively to the other, including a pair of legs entered substantialy parallel in the advance side of the rotatable member, one leg being fixedly anchored therein while the other leg is fitted loosely in a recess of the same member formed with a wall converging toward the threads thereof, and a diagonally arranged connection oining said pairon said advance side, said connection serving to take up the impact against a primary support and thereupon forcing said other leg intoengagement with the threads of the relatively stationary member through the agency of said converging wall.

5. A nut and bolt locking device including a leg soclteted in the forward face of the nut, a second leg entering a recess therein communicating with the bore of the nut across the threads thereof, said recess having one side extending along a substantially radial line and another side converging towards the threads of the bolt in said bore, and a connection disposed sidewise of the latter intermediate of said legs, said connection projecting outwardly beyond said forward face in order to be first to meet a primary support, whereby said second leg is moved in said recess and carried into engagement with the threads of the bolt.

6. A nut and bolt locking device including a leg rigidly secured to the nut on the forward side thereof, another leg loosely fitting an angular recess of ratchet tooth outline in comn'iunication with the bore of the nut, said recess having a wall converging toward said bore so as to form thereat an acute angle with the threads of the bolt, and a connection intermediate said legs outwardly inclined from said forward side, the incline of said connection being first to meet an abutment acting to drive the same inward so to thrust said other leg farther into said recess and said angle.

7. A lock for securely holding relatively movable and stationary members in threaded engagement one with the other, consisting of a trapezoidal element having a leg anchoring it to the movable member, a substantially parallel leg entering a recess in the latter through which the same can be made to impinge against the threads of the stationary member, and a slanting connection forming an obtuse angle with said anchoring leg and an acute angle with the impinging leg, said connection working in a groove of the first-named member and operating through contact with an abutment to urge the latter-named leg into wedging action upon the threads of the other memher from a narrowed part of said recess.

8. A. lock for securely holding relatively movable and stationary members in threaded engagement one with the other, consisting of a tripartite element having a leg firmly socketed in the movable member, a second leg substantially triangular in cross-section adapted to coact with a recess of ratchet tooth outline in the same member pointed towards the threads of the stationary member, said recess having an approximately radial side and an outer wall converging therefrom towards said threads, and a slant ingly arranged interconnection extending from the socketed leg to the triangular leg, said interconnection being functioned by contact with a primary support to move said second leg along said wall from said radial side of the recess to the point where the latter meets said threads and to press an angular edge of the leg thereagainst.

9. A lock for securely holding relatively movable and stationary members in threaded engagement one with the other, consisting of a tripartite element having a comparatively short leg secured to the movable member, a longer leg disposed substantially in parallelism with said short leg in position to enter a recess in the said movable member constricted toward the threads of the stationary member, and a laterally curved connection resiliently joining said legs so that as a support is being encountered, it causes the longer leg to move into the constricted part of said recess and to be wedged therein against said threads.

10. A locking device for relatively rotatable and stationary screw-engaged members, consisting of a tripartite element having a leg lodged in a main recess provided in the rotatable member and adapted to impinge upon the threads of the stationary member,

. a second leg anchored in a sub-recess extending into the rotatable member substantially in parallelism with said main recess, and a connection uniting said legs protruding beyond the basal face of the last named member, the arrangement being such that when the rotatable member is tightened up against a primary support said connection is forced inwardly of said face, causing the leg in the main recess to swing into biting engagenient with the threads of the stationary member.

11. A locking device for screw-threaded members that are adapted to be fastened together by rotating one relatively to the other, includinga self-setting element coacting with the rotatable member and having a sharpedged part entered into an axially extending recess in the latter, said recess being of substantially ratchet tooth formation with one portion thereof constricted in the direction in which said member is screwed up, and said part being capable of moving into said constricted portion, the construction and arrangement being such that tightening up of the rotatable relatively to the stationary member permits the said part to slip, while unscrewing of the first named member causes the part mentioned to wedge itself intermediate said portion and the threads in said stationary member.

JOHN A. GARLSON. 

